Retail tenant representative (find shops for businesses)
Help cafes, shops and start-ups find and negotiate the right retail premises.
- A$3k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You act for the business looking for premises. You work out what they need, shortlist available shops, arrange inspections and negotiate lease terms on their behalf. Most of the work is done from home, by phone and online, plus site visits.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state or territory's licensing body whether acting for tenants requires a real estate licence or registration
- Choose a niche such as cafes, salons or franchise outlets and build a short guide to rents and locations in your area
- Contact local business advisers, accountants and shop-fitters to ask for referrals, and offer a free first call to new businesses
Who pays
New and growing retailers, cafes, salons, franchisees and small chains looking for a shop.
How it makes money
A fee paid by the tenant, either a fixed fee or a share of the rent saved or the first-year rent, agreed in writing before you start.
Skills that help
- Negotiating
- Researching locations and rents
- Explaining lease terms in plain language
- Staying organised across several searches
Watch out for
- Licensing rules differ by state and territory, so check before you charge a fee
- Professional indemnity insurance, because bad advice on a lease can be costly
- Be clear that you are not a lawyer and suggest tenants get legal advice on the lease
- Retail leasing laws vary by state, so check what protections tenants have
- Check council rules if you run the business from home
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start as a retail tenant representative?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on how you set up your home-based business. These are estimates only, so check your own costs before you begin.
How much can a tenant representative earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many tenants you work with and the fees you agree. Time needed is typically at least around 15 hours a week.
What rules should I check before acting as a tenant representative?
Licensing rules differ by state and territory, so check before you charge a fee. Also check professional indemnity insurance, retail leasing laws and tenant protections in your state, and council rules for home businesses. Be clear you are not a lawyer and suggest legal advice.
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